Hurt in a Bus Accident? Here is What You Should Know in 2024

Bus accidents are pretty common in the United States. Over 60,000 buses are involved in an accident per year. As a passenger, you always expect a bus to be driven professionally and safely, which is why bus accidents can be especially scary and traumatizing. However, accidents still happen all the time, and if you were involved in a bus accident, click here to learn more about your legal options.

What are the causes of bus accidents?

Bus accidents can occur for a variety of reasons. Some of the most common causes of bus accidents are:

• Poor maintenance
• Negligence of the bus driver
• Inclement Weather
• Overloading
• Blind spots
• Left turns

What are the common types of bus accident injuries?

Buses are big and heavy vehicles, so bus accident injuries can be devastating. Some of the most common injuries that people suffer in a bus accident are:

• Internal injuries
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Burn injuries
• Fractures
• Spinal cord injuries

What should you do after a bus accident?

The steps you should take after a bus accident are:

• Call 911

The first thing you should do after a bus accident is report the accident. This is an essential step to help everyone that may have been injured in the accident. You should call 911 immediately, even if you do not see anyone injured.

• Get medical help

Seeking medical assistance right after the accident is an essential step that should never be overlooked. Bus accidents can result in serious injuries, and you must get medical treatment immediately. However, there may be cases where you do not have any visible injuries. Even in such a case, you should see medical professionals. Some injuries take a while to show, and you may not know the extent of your injuries until you consult a medical professional.

• Document everything

After an accident, you should always try documenting the accident scene. This can help serve as proof down the line. Take pictures of the accident site, get the names and contact information of the witnesses or people involved, etc.

• Do not make any statements.

You must not make any statements before consulting an attorney, as anything you say may be used against you later.

• Talk to a lawyer today.

Do not waste time if you or someone you know is involved in a bus accident. Schedule a consultation with a skilled and experienced attorney today and get the legal help you deserve.

• Restitution damages

In Ohio, victims of careless, negligent, or deliberate behavior by at-fault parties may be awarded compensatory economic and non-economic penalties.

What do economic losses entail?

Economic damages are actual, direct expenses a sufferer incurs or money losses brought on by a bus mishap. These losses sustained in an Ohio bus mishap include compensation for:

• Medical expenses
• ongoing medical attention and therapy
• hospital fees
• Recovery and treatment
• permanent nursing care
• Potential healthcare costs
• lost income
• future prospects for income
• harm to property

Additionally, victims may request recompense for extra costs like:

• Insurance co-pays Renovations done to suit their impairments,
• like wheelchair steps and restroom handrails
• Medications on prescription

These losses are evaluated and demonstrated by providing insurance companies or judges with copies of bills and medical documents.

Non-economic damages: what are they?

Compared to economic damages, non-economic damages are less tangible. A judge or juror arbitrarily determines the worth of these penalties.

However, following a traumatic accident, non-economic damages might represent some of the victim’s biggest losses. A victim of a severe injury experiences a loss of happiness and pleasure in life.

Following an Ohio bus accident, non-economic damages, also known as pain and suffering, may be demanded, including:

• Pain
• a distressing emotion
• Disfigurement
• Humiliation
• a loss of reputation
• the aggravation of past wounds
• The absence of a group
• reduction in enjoyment

Since emotional harm and suffering are intangible injuries, non-economic damages are harder to demonstrate. Courts frequently inquire about the following factors when determining the worth of intangible injuries:

• Statements made by the sufferer regarding their anguish and suffering.
• Witnesses who are close to you and your family.
• Demonstrations of the effects of the injuries on a victim’s quality of life.
• Objective proof of an inability to engage in interests, favorite pastimes, or other leisure activities.

Things that affect the worth of a claim

The particulars of a case, as well as a number of other variables, determine the quantity of compensation a wounded party will receive. The following are some typical elements that may affect the worth of a bus mishap case:

• Responsibility of all persons involved.
• Type, duration, and seriousness of illnesses and accidents.
• Age and line of work of the wounded party.
• Illnesses or accidents that were present before.
• The total price of medical costs, including inpatient stays, continuing care, and treatments.
• The caliber of the data gathered to back the assertion.

Most significantly, since every case has different conditions, lawyers can never assign a precise dollar value to a claim. Instead, the abovementioned elements are utilized to determine the case worth in a bus mishap.

Who might be responsible for a bus accident?

In many ways, bus mishaps are different from other car crashes. Unlike some vehicles, bus operations are managed by companies or government entities rather than people. As a result, many individuals may be held accountable for an accident in a given situation. Some accountable actors could be:

• an inattentive or worn-out motorist
• a person or thing that blocked the route with detritus or other dangers
• Other vehicles’ careless handling
• Passengers on buses acting inappropriately
• A servicing business that did not conduct an accurate inspection or repair work on the bus Defective bus component manufacturers
• Employer of the bus conductor

When must I submit a bus accident claim?

The amount of time the state gives someone hurt in a mishap to submit a claim for compensation is restricted. The claim must be submitted in the state Court of Claims using a separate process if the defendant in the case is the state government, though.